12.Practice.Tests.for.the.SAT_2015-2016_1128p

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WHY TA KE THE PSAT
The PSAT /NMSQT stands for the Preliminary SAT /National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It has two
main functions:
Function 1
The PSAT gives you practice for the SAT.
Although shorter than the SAT (2 hours, 10
minutes compared with 3 hours, 45 minutes),
it contains the same types of Math, Reading,
and Writing questions, except it does not have
a written essay, which the SAT has. The PSAT
also measures your score against those of your
classmates and peers across the country, just as
the SAT does.
Function 2
Ta king the PSAT also gives you a chance to
qualify for several scholarship programs, most
notably the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Aside from the possibility of receiving tuition
for college, recognition by the National Merit
Scholarship program is an impressive addition
to your college applications.
The top 50,000 scorers on the PSAT are
recognized by the National Merit program and
sent letters of commendation. Over 10,000 of
these students share more than $47 million in
National Merit Scholarship money.
SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED
The most well-known scholarship offered, of course, is the National Merit Scholarship. As noted, only
juniors who take the PSAT are eligible for National Merit Scholarships. The top 16,000 scorers become
semifinalists, and approximately 15,000 semifinalists become finalists. Finally, almost 8,500 National
Merit finalists actually receive National Merit Scholarships, with each award providing up to $2,500 a
year toward a college education.
Many high scorers who don't receive National Merit Scholarships may still be awarded merit
scholarships from the schools to which they apply based on their high scores. Whether you qualify as
a Commended Student, a Semi-Finalist, a Finalist, or a full-fledged National Merit Scholar, it's definitely
worth noting this achievement on your college applications.
Also, note that if you receive a letter of commendation but do not qualify to become a National Merit
finalist, you could still be eligible for a Special Scholarship. To be considered for Special Scholarships,
students who meet a corporate or business sponsor's criteria must file entry forms directly with that
organization, which then forwards the entry forms back to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation
(NMSC). A list of corporate organizations that sponsor Special Scholarships is given in the PSAT/
NMSQT Student Bulletin. The NMSC subsequently contacts high-scoring candidates through their
high schools, and the students and their school officials then submit detailed scholarship applications.
Finally, these applications are evaluated, and approximately 1,300 students are awarded Special
Scholarships.